As technology continues to integrate into all aspects of businesses, a fast and reliable wireless network is becoming a vital asset for those looking to maximize profitability and productivity. At Network Drops, we hear all too often the problems a poor network design can cause an organization. That is why we at Network Drops stress the importance of a proper wireless access point design to business owners and executives throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and New Jersey.
From the location of your network access points to load balancing, there are a few key components of your access point design that can significantly impact the overall performance of your wireless network.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the 5 key components of correct wireless access point design, so you can understand how important it is that you hire the right I.T. company to set up your business’s wireless network.
- Location of Access Points
Without experience in wireless network design, you might think access point installation depends solely on coverage and making sure your access points reach every corner of your office or warehouse. However, placing APs near metal, concrete, or brick, for example, can affect the signal strength and lead to notably diminished performance.
- Dual Radio Access Points
Devices can connect to access points on different frequencies. Those connected on a 2.4Ghz frequency will experience slower speeds but a longer range, while those on 5Ghz will experience faster speeds with a more limited range. Dual radio access points give you the ability to connect on either frequency, which makes your network available to a wider range of devices and also helps maintain maximum network performance in high-density wireless areas—or areas with many users connecting to the network.
- Load Balancing
To design a network based around coverage alone is a common mistake an organization can make. Just because a device can access the network doesn’t mean the network can handle the demand. If you have areas like conference rooms that are going to have large spikes in network usage, you need to balance the load between two or more nearby APs. Otherwise, you’ll experience connectivity and speed issues frequently.
- Up-to-Date Firmware
Like any software, your firmware will need routine updates to maintain peak performance. You can do this yourself or your network cabling contractor may be willing to manage these for you. Either way, it is critical for both network security and performance that your company keeps its network firmware up to date.
- The Speed of Access Point
Choosing the wrong speed of access point for your business can result in dramatic performance deficiencies. You want an access point that can fit the speed of your network. An 802.11ac is the standard access point for businesses because it can range from 450mb to a few Gb per second for a signal. If your network has 50Mb speeds, you shouldn’t use a 1Gb access point, and vice versa.
If your business has a wireless network that isn’t getting the job done, chances are your access point setup is to blame. Whether its a poor placement of the APs or a deeper design flaw affecting your network, our seasoned technicians at Network Drops can identify the errors in your setup and design the wireless network your business needs to thrive.
If you’re fighting a losing battle against your wireless network, don’t delay any longer. Get your free network consultation from Network Drops today!